In his first address to the people of the Dominican Republic on occasion of his three-day visit, Juan Carlos I, King of Spain said: "Do not be surprised nor think they are simply protocolar displays of friendship and warmth. This is the true feeling of a people and a government that has high regard for you as fine representatives of a generation that has freely chosen its destiny and responsibly decided to assume the challenges of history, forging together to achieve the objectives of welfare and development enjoyed today," said the King of Spain at the National Palace. During the visit, he honored President Hipólito Mejía and First Lady Rosa de Mejía with the Collar Orden Isabel la Católica. The King of Spain said that there was special symbolism involved since the discovery of the Americas was possible due to the Catholic faith of the Castillian queen. President Mejía presented the Queen of Spain with the highest decoration granted by the Dominican State, the Gran Cruz Placa de Oro de la Orden Duarte, Sánchez y Mella. The King had already received the decoration when the Spanish royalty first visited in 1976. Later, the King visited Congress. "In a world where barriers of all kind between nations are falling, we reaffirm our conviction that the integration in supranational groups has become a key instrument to achieve the development of our nations," said the King during his visit to Congress. He was encouraging Congress to pass the free trade agreements that are pending, local support to the Iberoamerican Summit promoted by Spain and Dominican efforts to strengthen ties with Spanish-speaking Central America. King Juan Carlos I said that local efforts to consolidate democracy and macroeconomic stability make it easier to expand the Spanish cooperation in coming years. He said that Spain considers the DR a preferential country in its cooperation programs with Latin America. He signed an agreement for the creation of a bilateral committee to combat illegal drug trafficking, and a technical and cultural agreement for US$45 million to promote the development of small and medium-sized business, government decentralization programs, and preservation of cultural heritage programs. This is the Spanish monarchs second more than 24-hour visit to the DR. The first occurred in 1976, when Joaquín Balaguer was president. While not on the official agenda, it was said the monarchs would visit 94-year old Balaguer in his residence. Next year they will return for the celebration of the Iberoamerican summit in November in Santo Domingo. For the agenda of the trip, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news111500.shtml
